Improvement in tuning-pins for pianos



fl. .Ms Ji: 51 in zuu'z iPilLsf'oi'Iialaos.

Patented Aug'. 22', 1871.

l um 5 l mbzesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY JOSEPH FAAS, JR., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TUNING-PINS FOR PlANOS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTHONY JosEPn Fans, Jr., of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented an 11nprovenient in Tuning-Pins for Pianos, of which the following is a specification:

My invention. consists in the combination, with two or more of the tuning-pins of a piano, of a yoke or pla-te resting upon shoulders formed on the said pins, and confined to the latter by tightening-nuts, all as fully described'hereafter; the object of the arrangement being to lock and prevent the turning of the tuningpins and the consequent slackening of the wires.

Figure l is a sectional view of a portion of a piano with my improved tuning-pin, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the pins, coup ling-yoke, and ti ghtening-nnts detached from ea eh other.

In an ordinary piano, each of the wires :l: .1r is secured at one end to and wound upon a tuningpin, A, which can be turned for the purpose of tightening or loosening the said wire and of imparting any degree of tension to the saine. These tuning-pins as ordinarily made are squared at the upper ends a for convenience of turning them by means of a wreneh or other tool, and have long tapering ends, b, which are adapted and wedged into corresponding openings c formed for their reception in the rest-plank in the inte` rior of the piano. The constant strain of the wires upon these pins has a tendency to turn and loosen the latter, so that the wires are consequently slackened and the piano put out of tune, the services of a tuner being therefore frequently required for a piano which is subjected to much use.

I have overcome this objection by constructingI and arranging thc pins as follows: The squared end a and tapering shank b are retained, but in addition to the saine the pin is formed with a collar, h, above which is cut a screw-threznl, i, adapted to the internal threads 4of a nut, B, the latter being screwed down upon a yoke, D, by which any two or more adjoining pins can be coupled together, and which effectually prevents the said pins from turning after the tightening of the nuts. Another advantage arising from the use of the coupling-yoke is that it strengthens and prevents the bending of the tuningpins-an accident which is apt to result from the constant pull and strain of the wires.

Any one of the pins may be adjusted in the usual manner for the purpose of regulating the tension upon the wire after loosening its nut B, the latter being again tightened after the adjustment of the pin.

I claim- The combination, with two or more tuningpins, of a yoke, I), resting upon shoulders h el the said pins, and coniined to the latter by nuts B, all substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ANTHONY J. FAAS, Jn.

XVitnesses:

IVM. A. STEEL, F. B. RionAEns. 

